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ozhunter

Doesn't the Mauser model 03 have a rather awkward safety/decocker on the back of the bolt. Which some have claimed is quite hard to take off or re-cock?

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John,

I've handled the M03 a dozen or so times now in various gunshops (although I haven't shot one yet), and have a hard time understanding what the "problem" is with the cocking lever. I have had no trouble cocking or de-cocking them, and have not gotten my thumb squeezed as I have read some people feel they have. Even my wife had no problems using the decocker. However, I have heard that some of the early rifles made may have had a harder spring.

Although it took a few seconds to get the hang of the decocker, I think this system would be great in a PG rifle, and wouldn't mind buying one myself when they come out with a synthetic stock (which they claim will be happening shortly). I would certainly much prefer an M03 compaired to a Blaser R93 (which I have once owned, but later sold). The M03 feels and looks more like a rifle should, compaired to the Blaser. But this is of course a matter of personal taste. I'd also rather hunt DG with a M03 than a Blaser R93 if I had to choose, due to the M03's more conventional bolt.

Erik

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I agree with Erik. I like the (serious) look of the MO3, fairly classical. But it's a meccanolike proposition like most of the SigSauer rifles (choose a stock, the engraving of the action, the detachable barrel,........let alone the Blaser 12 gauge whose option are incredible and laughable).
The cocking-decocking catcher is present on more and more new rifles. Even the sister company Sauer succumbs to this trend : the new auto Sauer 303 exhibits this device.
This device was firstly the norm on the fine single-shot hinged-action rifles (Kipplauf) from Suhl, Merkel, Simson....it then appears on the dubious Blasers and now could tend to be the norm in Eastern Europe.
The origin of this trend is not only a new gadget for better marketing. In Europe, the hunters are very concerned by safety, especially the younger ones. This device is a bonus in offering to cock at the very last time prior to shooting.
But it's quite a few more moving parts impairing the action in harsh country. Not the sort of gizmo welcomed in the back of the neck of Africa.

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"I don't want to create an encyclopedic atmosphere here when we might be having a beer instead" P H Capstick in "Safari the last adventure."

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